“Everybody knows your name now,” said DeGeneres. “Everybody is on your side. People are calling me going, ‘What happened? She was amazing!’ “

For that reason, DeGeneres recruited the talent of “Idol” judge and hit songwriter Kara DioGuardi to surprise the vocalist.

“I have a little surprise for you: Kara DioGuardi is going to write you a song,” DeGeneres told a surprised Martin. “You’re going in a studio. She’s going to produce a song for you and we’re gonna get you a record label [deal]!! See how things turn out?”

While today was a dream come true for the Chicago native, life has not always been so kind. During her first audition, the singer’s father was murdered by her stepmother and her daughter suffers from Rett Syndrome, which causes seizures. Finally, her mother, Viola Brown Martin, has been missing since December 26. Still, Martin is upbeat and says she relies on prayer to raise her spirits.

Watch the video of Angela Martin’s appearance on Ellen after the jump.